Facts you should know about fluoride
Dr Gordon Tam • May 21, 2020
We use fluoride everyday. It is important to our body. Do you know what is fluoride and where we can commonly find it?
Functions of fluoride
Fluoride is a natural mineral that is found in our body (bones and teeth), and the natural environments such as water, soil, plants, rocks and even in the air.
Fluoride is important to us especially to our teeth as it helps to strengthen the most outer layer, the enamel and fights against cavities. The most common products you used with fluoride in it are our water (in SIngapore’s context) and toothpastes.
- Prevent demineralization caused by the loss of minerals by strengthening the structure of tooth to prevent bacteria on tooth surface from ‘eating away’ the enamel
- Direct application of fluoride to reduce tooth sensitivity
- Increase the rate of remineralization
- Helps to fight against acid produced by plaque, blocking harmful enzymes that weakens the tooth enamel
Who needs fluoride?
All of us need fluoride. Depending on dietary habits and age, we require different quantities of fluoride ‘consumption’. As our public water supply has fluoride in it, it contributes to our consumption.
However, for some of us who tend to get cavities easier than others, your dentist may suggest regular fluoride treatment or prescribe mouth rinse that contains higher concentration of fluoride than those sold over-the-counters.
Professional fluoride treatment
Usually we only get to find out we needed more fluoride than others from our dentist. They are the right person to advise how much fluoride we need and how we can get it. During a dental visit, the dentist will check on our dental history and current oral conditions. Based on these, they can determine the application of fluoride treatment, and how often we need to receive the treatment.
After the fluoride treatment, avoid drinking or eating for 30 minutes.
What is Fluorosis?
Fluorosis is a condition that affects the tooth appearance. It is caused by the over exposure to fluoride at the young age, especially before the age of eight where most of our permanent teeth are being formed.
When our baby teeth start to drop and adult teeth emerge, the adult teeth will seem to appear slightly discolored and look different from those who do not have fluorosis.
Fluorosis usually occurs with over consumption of fluoride and toothpaste is one of the most common culprits. Even if the child knows how to spit out toothpaste with fluoride, the fluoride will be absorbed through daily brushing.
The over accumulation of fluoride in a child’s body through swallowing of toothpaste will affect the adult teeth that are still embedded in the gums before they emerge.
In some more severe cases, we can see the discoloration of teeth from yellow to shades of brown and the surfaces of the teeth are uneven, with pits noticed on the teeth.
Apart from fluorosis affecting the appearance of the teeth and contributing to the overall aesthetic appearance, it is not a disease.
What is water fluoridation?
Water fluoridation is adding and adjusting a controlled amount of fluoride to the public water supply. The main objective is to reduce tooth decay. The fluoridated water is effective to prevent cavities.
Tooth decay is one of the main health concerns in countries around the world. Some countries do not have public water fluoridation, hence resulting in higher rates of developing cavities among the population.
Studies have shown that since the 1950s in the United States of America, tooth decay rate has declined due to the introduction of water fluoridation to the public water supply.
Fluoride is good for us at the right quantity
We are fortunate to have clean public water supply and the water has adjusted quantities of fluoride in it to help us fight cavities. With proper diet and good oral hygiene, we should absorb sufficient fluoride.
To maintain a healthy set of teeth and gums, apart from good oral habits, we need regular professional help to do routine dental checkup and cleaning. It helps us to detect any oral issues early.
For more information and consultation, please contact Smile Design Dental Practice at +65 6463 8588.
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